Wire-stretcher.



M. E. THOMAS.

WIRE STRETCHER. I APPLICATION FILED APR.13, 191s.

Patented Mar. 6, 1917.

Mani/715197? Omens MARTIN E. THOMAS, or sermon, OKLAHOMA, assrenon oronn-roonrn TO JOHN H. LOTT AND ONE-FOURTH TO ma A. LANGSTON, BOTH orGUYMON, OKLAHOMA.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN E. THoMAs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Guymon, in the county of Texas and State of Oklahoma, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in VVire-Stretchers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to the art of pushing and pulling devices,and has particular reference to new and useful improvements in wirestretchers and the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a wire stretcher of thecombination type adapted to be used for connecting loose ends of wire,or for stretching Wire when constructing wire fences or the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wire stretcher of theclass above referred to which is compactly and neatly constructed, thedevice possessing a combination of elements permitting its applicationto var1ous uses.

A further object of my invention is to provide 'a Wire stretcher of theclass described constructed in such a way that there are no detachableparts which are liable to become lost rendering the wire structureuseless, this being the objection existent in many of the wirestretchers now offered.

Other objects and advantages to be derived from the use of my improvedwire stretcher will appear from the following detail description, andthe claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawing, inwhich- Figure 1 is a. perspective View of a wire stretcher, embodyingthe improvements of my invention, showing the same in use as a stretcherof single strand wire for building a fence or the like, and

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the same showing the device in useas a wire splicer.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar charactersof reference designate like and corresponding parts throughout thevarious views, 1 designates the operating lever of my invention having ahandle portion 2 on the free end thereof. A pair of links 3 and 4: arepivotally mounted oiisaid lever 1 as at 5 and 6, respectively, saidlinks having gripping means hereinafter described carried on the freeends thereof.

The gripping means referred to comprise Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 13, 1916. Serial No. 90,905.

lugs 7 and 8 integrally formed on said links adjacent the free endsthereof, said lugs being bent laterally to right-angular relation withthe body of the links to form supports for gripping cams 9 and 10pivoted on said lugs as at 11 and 12, respectively. The wire engagingsurfaces of the cams 9 and 10 are preferably serrated for an obviouspurpose. I provide a further gripping attachment permanently associatedwith the structure described in the foregoing, said means including aplate 13 having a base portion 14 and a side portion 15 at preferablyrightangles thereto. A clamping or gripping cam 16 is pivoted on a pin17 carried by the portion 15 of the member 13 for a purpose which Willhereinafter appear. The member 13 is permanently associated with thelink 4 by means of a flexible element such as a chain 18 connected withsaid link and said member 13 by means of rings 19 having suitable eyesin the links and in said members, respectively. A hook 20 is connected,by means of a ring 21, to the base portion 14 of the member 13 for apurpose which will hereinafter appear.

My invention is capable of use as a single wire stretcher and as a wiresplicer, the first said use being shown to advantage in Fig. 1.Referring to Fig. 1 I have designated a fence post 22 about which thechain 18 is wound, the hook 20 being engaged as at 23 with. one of thelinks of ,the chain 18. A wire strand is shown and is designated 24. Inoperation the lever 1 is oscillated causing the clamping cam 9 to gripthe strand of wire 24. A pull on the lever in the direction of the postwill tighten the strand, and the free end of the strand being engagedunder the cam 10. will be held in the taut position. Repeating thisoperation a number of times will tighten the strand the amount desired.

Referring to the use of my invention illustrated in Fig. 2 I havedesignated two separate strands of wire 25 and 26, it being desired inthis case "to splice the free ends of the strand. To accomplish thisresult the member 13 is engaged with the strand 25 at a suitabledistance from the end to permit sufficient length for splicing purposesand the clamping cam 9 is engaged with the other strand 26. When usingthe device as I set forth in the foregoing the lever 1 .is employed fora purpose similar to the purpose of the lever described hereinbefore.

to a great degree.

I do not desire to be limitedto any particular formation of the links 3and 4 but prefer the form illustrated in the drawing in view of the factthat each of the links may be formed of a single piece of metal or thelike. However, itwill be readily apparent that in view of the permanentconnection ex-- isting between all of the elements of my invention, lossof these elements is obviated From the above I nection with theaccompanying drawing, it

is thought that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the,construction, operation and advantages of my inventlon may be had,

' and while I have shown and described my invention as embodying aspecific structure, I desire that it be understood that I may make suchchanges on said structure as do not depart from'the spirit and scopeofthe invention as claimed. k

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1 I I. Ina device of the class described, an

Copies of this patent may be obtained for description taken in conoperating lever,': apair; of links 1 extending therefrom and pivotal-1yconnected thereto, wire engaging means on the free ends of said links, asupplemental wire engaging means having flexible connection with one ofsaid links, and means for attaching the same to a post orthe like. r

2. In a wire stretcher, a lever, a pair of links pivotally associatedtherewith, wire gripping means carried by the free ends of said links achain connected with the free MARTIN E. THOMAS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,19. G.

